Naturally, this got us thinking about NFL triplets. The most famous threesome — Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith of the 1990s Dallas Cowboys — collaborated for three Super Bowl wins in four seasons. There isn't a similar trio in the league today, but there are several troikas worth watching heading into the 2013 season.

Best QB-RB-WR group — Detroit Lions: WR Calvin Johnson, a.k.a. Megatron, is the best receiver of this generation and might become an even more effective player with a healthy set of hands and shifty RB Reggie Bush drawing defensive attention closer to the line of scrimmage. QB Matthew Stafford, a better athlete and leader than he gets credit for, quietly has two of the top seven seasons in terms of passing yards in NFL history (5,038 in 2011 and 4,967 in 2012). Honorable mention: Houston Texans' Matt Schaub, Arian Foster and Andre Johnson

Best wideout group — Denver Broncos: Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker combined for 179 catches, 2,498 yards and 23 TDs in 2012, their first season with QB Peyton Manning zipping away at them. Now add Wes Welker, he of the 672 grabs over the past six years (389 for first downs), and you have a truly excellent arsenal, one that will do damage at every level of the field. Honorable mentions: Atlanta Falcons (Harry Douglas, Julio Jones, Roddy White), Green Bay Packers (Randall Cobb, James Jones, Jordy Nelson)

Best side of an offensive line — San Francisco 49ers: Start with LT Joe Staley, arguably the NFL's most athletic O-lineman, and battering ram LG Mike Iupati. Then take your pick between C Jonathan Goodwin or combo deluxe TE Vernon Davis to complete the trifecta ... little surprise the Niners offense is one of the league's most explosive and multiple. Honorable mention: Texans (LT Duane Brown, LG Wade Smith and C Chris Myers/TE Owen Daniels)

Best pass rushers — Seattle Seahawks: They've teamed free agent additions Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett with second-year speed rusher Bruce Irvin, a group that had 26½ sacks collectively in 2012. If DE Chris Clemons, who has 33½ sacks in the past three seasons, is recovered from his ACL tear (he might even beat Irvin, who will begin the season with a four-game suspension, onto the field), Seattle will have a quarterback-crushing quartet. Honorable mention: Cincinnati Bengals (DT Geno Atkins, LB James Harrison, DE Michael Johnson)

Best linebacker group — 49ers: Patrick Willis is the NFL's premier inside linebacker, but teammate NaVorro Bowman is right on his heels. Aldon Smith's 33½ sacks in his first two seasons are an unprecedented figure. Honorable mention: Kansas City Chiefs (Tamba Hali, Justin Houston, Derrick Johnson)

Best safety combination — Tennessee Titans: Michael Griffin, Bernard Pollard and George Wilson bring a mixture of range, attitude, leadership and brains in a league where many coordinators would prefer to replace one of their linebackers with a third safety. Honorable mention: New Orleans Saints (Roman Harper, Malcolm Jenkins, Kenny Vaccaro)

Best special teams group — Baltimore Ravens: Jacoby Jones has long been a script flipper as a returner and showed the world in Super Bowl XLVII. Justin Tucker hit 91% of his field-goal tries as a rookie (he was 4-for-4 beyond 50 yards) and was among league leaders in kickoff distance and touchbacks. P Sam Koch is solid, and coach Jim Harbaugh likes to call his number on trick plays. Honorable mention: 49ers (Phil Dawson, Andy Lee, LaMichael James)